Recommendations for a Classy .22 Sporter Wanted

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I'm in the market for a .22 sporter that is accurate, nice looking (in the "classic" sense- that is walnut and blued steel and no nasty roll-over monte carlo cheek pieces and some such), handy to carry, factory iron sights (harder and harder to come by and so I may have to forego them), sling swivel studs installed and priced not much over $800.00 or so and hopefully (much ) less.
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Based on what you are looking for, a CZ 452 Lux would be perfect.

But, as others have mentioned, the Marlin 39a would work also.
 
I got my wife a CZ 452 Varmint with the bull barrel for about $300 a year or two ago. She and that rifle are WICKED accurate.

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=2

My neighbor picked one up after shooting this one and he likes it more than his Sako and Browning 22's.

The Varmint doesn't have factory iron sights, although there are several other models which do. The 452 American or 452 Lux would probably be good choices.
 
I'm a big fan of the Marlin 39A.

I'd recommend finding the Marlin 39A club's thread and skim through the 74 pages of content. You'll find glowing endorsements of that hundred year old rifle design combined with a new peep sight called a Skinner.

Best of luck, and make sure to tell us what you decide,
 
You know, he didn't say bolt action did he.

Another vote for the Marlin, but make mine a Mountie since I've had one for 45 years or so. Open sights, sling swivels, handy and accurate enough for squirrels. And cheap compared to a lot of the guns we're suggesting.

John
 
The only trouble with Anschutz is the price. A sporter like the Model 1700 with a 54 action will run, oh, $1500 to $2000, not anywhere near his $800 target. I suppose a 64 action gun would be okay, but they aren't the ones that made the Anschutz reputation.

That, and some of them have a rollover cheek piece.

ww.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=108520
 
I have a kimber of oregon and it's the finest,most accurate factory rifle ever produced except for coopers,which could be considered the "new kimber of oregon" because they are built by former kimber of oregon gunsmiths. The only thorn in the side of coopers is that dan cooper,then president of cooper arms,OPENLY supported barrack hussein obama. That was UNFORGIVABLE. Not only that but he tried to later lie about it and as we all know,campain contrabutions are public record,for anyone that wishes to,to check. Dan cooper HAS stepped down,resigning from his position BUT still is the vast majority stockholder. Until he gives up all shares of his cooper stock,they are experiencing a massive boycott,just as s & w did when the top brass decided to suck up to komrade klinton until they were fired after s&w was sold. I sincerely hope cooper is able to pull out of this AFTER dan is TOTALLY out of the picture as they are currently the ultimate sporting factory rifles.
 
A massive boycott? There aren't enough interested people out there who can even afford a Cooper for any boycott to qualify as massive.

And anyway, why punish the workers - the boss has been canned AFAIK.

John
 
With that short list, you're not gonna go wrong.

But if you have a chance to get an Anschutz or Sako, then do so. But I will say that the CZ 452 in either Luxe or FS configuration also meet the criteria, but perhaps with less "bragging rights".
 
Why boycott? Because they WORK and get point accross. For the simple reason dan cooper is STILL major stockholder and thus is STILL personally making money off every new cooper sold. ONLY when hit in the green belt will a company take notice,and when he's hit with falling stock prices,he'll sell out rather than have the whole company go under. People like him need to learn they're responsible for their actions,or bad results WILL follow. We ALL need to stick together against the anti-gun gang and IMO he's a turncoat. Until he sells his stock,I'll NEVER even THINK about reccomending 1 of these EXCELLENT made rifles to anyone. And people that STILL buy them right now are only enabling him.
 
But if you have a chance to get an Anschutz or Sako, then do so. But I will say that the CZ 452 in either Luxe or FS configuration also meet the criteria, but perhaps with less "bragging rights".
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When you see how a CZ Lux or Full stock shoots, the "bragging rights" factor goes way up. :D
 
"...still is the vast majority stockholder"

If Dan Cooper was the majority stockholder he wouldn't have been asked to resign because he couldn't have been outvoted.

You need to get your facts straight.

"...falling stock prices..."

The last time I looked it's not a publicly traded company so there aren't any stock prices.

"People like him need to learn they're responsible for their actions,or bad results WILL follow."

Uh, he already lost his job.

I'm sorry, but you are simply not making any sense with your rants.

John
 
Classic squirrel gun...

021001m.jpg


Browning Auto 22

Open sights and only 5 pounds 3 ounces. And the price is right.

John
 
You can always look around for a Winchester 62. They are out there.. saw one just the other day as a matter of fact.

Doesn't get much more "classic .22 squirrel gun" then that...
 
You know, he didn't say bolt action did he.
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Well, he should have! Sorry about that-would've saved a few guys some time if I'd been a little more specific. I do own both a Marlin 39 and the little Browning Auto and love them both but...well, now that you fellows have smoked me out, I guess I just need an excuse to get a new gun! :evil:

Seriously, the advice and input I've gotten so far has been great! Keep it coming as, unlike a lot of other things in my life, I'm really trying to be open-minded about this rifle choice. JohnBT: you and others seem to have a good handle as to what I'm looking for but, just for your information, I'm not so much opposed to a cheek piece, per se; it's the rollover style I'm averse to. Somebody suggested a Winchester 75-I'd forgotten about that little gem. Also, although the CZ 452 LUX would seem to meet all of my "requirements", I've been disappointed with the grade of wood I've seen on the two I examined (and someone here did suggest that I should view first before buying because of the wide disparity with the wood quality on these models) and I'm wondering if those who own this model could report on the trigger performance. I liked what PremiumSauces meant when he suggested the 452 might fall a little short when it comes to "bragging rights" and had to chuckle when CZguy followed up with the "proof's in the pudding" argument. :)

Finally, anybody own or know much about the Remington 504? Again, thanks to all for taking the time to respond to my questions.
 
I was a range officer at my club last month. The tightest groups of the day on the 50 yrd. range was shot by a .22 Savage MKII. In stainless it was a good looking rifle.
 
I've been disappointed with the grade of wood I've seen on the two I examined (and someone here did suggest that I should view first before buying because of the wide disparity with the wood quality on these models) and I'm wondering if those who own this model could report on the trigger performance.
Click to expand...

All CZs should be handled first hand before purchase. The stocks range from plain to nicely figured. The trigger problems are well known, and easily fixed by a Brook's trigger kit for $15.00 and twenty minutes of time.

The photo below was taken to show a Lyman peep sight that I installed on my Lux, but it's representative of the Turkish Walnut that you can find if you look around.


DSC00753.jpg
 
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I`ve a Ruger 77-22 and the CZ 452FS in 17HMR. I`m partial to the CZ, both in feel and accuracy. For 2/3 the money for a Ruger you get a lot of rifle from CZ.

100_0630.jpg
 
You can find some nice CZs. Here's the used 452 American in .22 WMR I found in a local shop for well under $300.

08230003.jpg


Edited to add a different picture of the same CZ. Imagine the Cooper in this light.

08170022.jpg

Yes, that's a Weaver T-36 on there. I move scopes around a lot depending on what I'm shooting at - paper in this case.
 
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Of course, for a couple of grand you can get a Cooper Custom Classic. The flash made the wood a bit redder than it really is, or maybe I was messing with the editing software a couple of years ago. The wood is brown with distinct markings.

Coopercustomclassic57M.jpg
 
Add a vote

for the Biathlon Basic. $329, toggle-bolt action, tensioned carbon barrel, steep-cut crown... tackdriver.

Spend the extra bread on the best glass you can afford.

My Dad's got one. It's a great, great gun.

Me want one.

There is (occasionally) a .22 Magnum version available as well. Centerfire Systems is (ironically) the current importer.

Stocks are decent looking, but not beautiful. Nice lines, but only average wood.

--Shannon
 
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